A Coat, A Hat and Gloves

It’s hard to imagine not having a warm pair of boots or a winter coat that fits, but for many children in our communities this is the challenge they face each winter. For more than 20 years, volunteers and donors have been working through the Kiwanis Club of Middletown to provide something simple that we each may take for granted – winter clothing. A coat, a pair of gloves, a pair of boots – even socks.

Warm The Children is organized by the Kiwanis Club in partnership with the Middletown Press. Each year volunteers help families shop for much-needed coats and footwear, thanks to the generous contributions from the community and grants from funders such as the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

“Mack Stewart, the founder, has always said that Warm The Children is neighbors helping neighbors,” said Lynn Baldoni, Kiwanis Club President. “I can’t think of a better quote to describe what we do. People in our community donate their time, their money and their compassion to make this program work. The grant from the Community Foundation was instrumental in helping us attain our fundraising goal this season.”

Warm the Children expects to serve more than 345 families by the end of the winter 2013 program. Imagine – 750 children who will have a new winter coat, a pair of gloves, a hat or good warm socks. “The Community Foundation’s grants committees review so many worthwhile projects. There are great programs and services offered throughout Middlesex County in many areas meeting many needs – in the arts and human services, supporting education, preserving and promoting our heritage and environment,” explained Nancy Fischbach, Chair of CFMC’s Grants Committee. “Human service programs like Warm the Children remind us we have neighbors who don’t have enough food, children who don’t have warm winter clothing, and county residents struggling to find a permanent place to live. As a community we need to work to support one another, and we are pleased we can support the efforts of our dedicated ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’”

Warm the Children works because it is a group of people working together to ensure the children in their community are warm and safe. It is just this sense of community that underscores the Community Foundation’s grant making – Helping Good People Do Great Things in Middlesex County. “Our stakeholders are investing in Middlesex County through the Community Foundation. They understand that pooling their resources in the Community Foundation will support a broad range of programs and services, and that with others – individuals, businesses and funders – they are able to create a larger impact than any one person can do alone,” said Cynthia Clegg, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation is community philanthropy, a community working together, to make Middlesex County a better, healthier, more vibrant place for everyone.”